Tech CEOs Engage in Public Dispute Through Rival Chatbots

A protracted dispute between technology executives Elon Musk and Sam Altman has escalated into a series of online exchanges involving their respective AI chatbots, Grok and ChatGPT. The conflict, characterized by pointed remarks and accusations, stems from a history of disagreements over the direction and governance of artificial intelligence development.

The latest volley began Monday when Musk accused Apple of antitrust violations for allegedly favoring OpenAI’s ChatGPT within its iOS App Store, asserting he would pursue legal action. This accusation arose following an announcement in June 2024 detailing a partnership between Apple and OpenAI. While no definitive evidence suggests systematic suppression of other AI applications by Apple, Musk maintains it is hindering Grok’s accessibility.

Altman responded to Musk’s claims, highlighting the X CEO’s own influence over the algorithms and policies of his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter). “This is a remarkable claim given what I have heard alleged that Elon does to manipulate X to benefit himself and his own companies and harm his competitors and people he doesn’t like,” Altman stated. Musk countered with a dismissive remark directed at Altman.

The current disagreement builds upon an earlier falling out between the two men, who initially co-founded OpenAI as a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring AI’s benefits for humanity. Their partnership dissolved when OpenAI transitioned towards a hybrid structure incorporating for-profit subsidiaries. In 2024, Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Altman, alleging betrayal concerning the company’s subsequent operational model. OpenAI disputed this account, stating Musk had previously supported the shift toward profitability but then demanded control over the organization or its integration into Tesla.

Musk has asserted that Grok’s responses now align with Altman’s viewpoint due to what he perceives as an excessive reliance on traditional news sources—a deficiency he intends to rectify. He alluded to a previous instance where attempts to modify Grok’s output resulted in unexpected and politically-charged behavior. The public display of disagreement underscores ongoing concerns regarding the accountability and transparency surrounding prominent figures in the technology sector and their control over increasingly powerful AI systems.